Enhanced security presence ahead for DC area for New Year's Eve

WASHINGTON - Police are taking no chances this New Year’s Eve in the D.C. area as regular briefings with the feds and enhanced police deployment are part of the strategy to keep revelers safe Thursday night.

When asked if he had any concerns about safety, Tyler Vaillant told us, “Nothing at all, nothing, no safety concerns.”

For the Vaillant family, there are no second thoughts about stepping out to celebrate this New Year’s Eve.

“It's New Year’s, people are going to be drinking, but other than that, no concerns,” said Karlee Vaillant.

Police are reviewing all threats, but at this time, they say there are no new credible threats to the District of Columbia.

Even so, on New Year’s Eve, police will boost their presence in nightlife areas and even at churches.

“I know everything that has happened across America, with all the bad news and the tragic events, but we believe the safest place to be is in the house of God,” said Dwight Ellard.

Ellard is the chief operating officer at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Northeast D.C.

“Our Security Ministry is made up of several volunteers and spearheaded by one trained police officer and they prepare not only all year long, but they have debriefings and meetings leading up to this so they can control the traffic flow, the crowd flow and just make sure that it's a totally safe environment in and outside of the sanctuary,” said Ellard.

Ellard said at least 2,000 parishioners are expected to attend the Watch Night Service.

“Surveillance or eyes in the sanctuary, outside of the sanctuary,” he said. “We have two-way radios where they are always talking to each other, things that they are seeing, just to make for a safe environment. We never anticipate anything going wrong, but we still feel we need that great presence of security.”

Police say Washington D.C. is often mentioned in propaganda from those that wish to do harm. Police are working with several partner agencies to review all threats and they urge everyone to report suspicious activity by calling 911 or going to iwatchdc.org.